Under an emergency clause that forgoes the customary congressional assessment, the US said on Friday that it had approved the $147.5 million sale of 155mm high-explosive artillery shells and supporting equipment to Israel.
The sale of around 14,000 rounds of 120mm tank ammunition to Israel, which is fighting Hamas in Gaza in a highly destructive battle that started with the Palestinian militants’ October shock onslaught, was approved earlier this month using the same provision.
According to a statement from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, Israel requested that 155mm fuses, primers, and charges be added to earlier foreign military sale cases. This request increased the cases’ projected total cost from $96.51 million to $147.5 million and necessitated a new notification.
The announcement stated that the ammunition will come from US Army supplies and that the secretary of state has decided that “an emergency exists that requires the immediate sale to the government of Israel” of the armament, bypassing the usual procedure for scrutiny by Congress. “Israel will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense,” according to a statement. “It is incumbent on all countries to employ munitions consistent with international humanitarian law.”
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